It will become the preferred method of analysis for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the water samples we collect and speed up our ability to process and report findings.
What is Pseudalert and what does it do?
Pseudalert is a single substrate method for assessing the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water samples. For the technically minded amongst you the reagent contains a fluorogenic substrate for the specific identification of an enzyme that signals the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This occurs through hydrolysis of the enzyme substrate, where if the organism is there the sample fluoresces blue. No additional confirmatory tests are needed and confirmed result can be produced within 24 hours.
Why have we chosen Pseudalert as our preferred method?
- Pseudalert is a recognised method in the Microbiology of drinking water Part 8. This is the standard we base our methods on;
- It is a much quicker process than membrane filtration methods and results are available in 24 hours;
- The test is specific to the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, so reduces the risk of false positives (from non-target organisms).
What difference will it make to our customers and our laboratory?
Customers get a faster and very accurate service, where:
- We can have a confirmed positive or negative result to customers within 24 hours using Pseudalert. Our traditional membrane filtration method takes 48 hours for a negative and can take between 48 – 72 hours (depending if confirmation is required) to confirm a positive result.
- The test is specific for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, so no presumptive results or false positives.
For our laboratory the introduction of the technology, helps optimise sample processing and frees up equipment for other testing/applications. It also dispenses with the need for additional testing that would be otherwise required to confirm a positive result.
You could say it will make our lab glow even brighter.